News
Expert Stresses Importance Of Immunisation
Worried over high maternal rate in the country, a community health expert has challenged the womenfolk to take immunization seriously.
The director of Community Health in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Mrs Abigail Orisa gave the charge while speaking as a resource person at a one-day sensitization workshop for traditional rulers on six core health areas. The workshop was organised by the State Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Port Harcourt.
According to Mrs Orisa, “out of every 100 women, 20 to 25 of them die to disease attack from lack of immunization.”
She added that child bearing women need to take immunization seriously as a result of their vulnerability to different kinds of ailments from child birth.
She described immunization as the process in which antigens are introduced into the body to fight diseases. Because of this benefit, Mrs Orisa observed that whenever the body of an immunized person in exposed to germs, the antigens fight and protect the person.
The health expert urged traditional rulers in the local areas to encourage their womenfolk to engage in immunization, saying aside protecting the mothers, it equally protect children from killer diseases such as polio, tetanus, victims, coughs and measles.
Mrs Orisa insisted that few months after the birth of any child, he or she should be taken to any health facility for immunization in order to avert any attack.
Similarly, the Chief Orientation and Mobilisation officer of NOA in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Mrs Rose Abbey-Hart underscored the importance of washing hands.
She explained that by washing one’s hands properly, one can avert the possibility of contacting diseases from one person to the other.
Mrs Abbey-Hart insisted that every toilet and bathroom must have soap or ash, a good hand towel and wash hand basin for one to wash hands after stooling.
The NOA official said the importance of proper handwashing has been underscored by UNICEF and WHO since most ailments in the rural areas are transmitted due to poor hygiene.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
